Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis is a compelling and exciting story about Ashley, the main character, who goes hiking with a group of friends in the Smokies. Ashley loves nature and has always felt more at home under the trees than in her house, because she feels the world is inherently dark and not tame. After a long night of partying, Ashley catches her boyfriend with another girl. She gets upset and runs through the forest. Suddenly, she falls into a ravine and acquires a dark red infection on her leg. She must now figure out how to survive in the wild. The way McGinnis explains Ashley’s relationship with nature is interesting and pulls you in.
Review by Caroline